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Favre wants to play Sunday and extend his league record of 291 consecutive regular-season starts. Coach Brad Childress still made no promises about whether Favre or Tarvaris Jackson would start against the Patriots and said he probably would wait until Sunday to decide.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Thursday that Childress was leaning toward Jackson. Asked Friday if he wanted Favre to start, Childress said: "If he gives us the best chance to win, yes. There are a couple of things. Can he protect himself? What gives us the best chance to win?"

What was unclear was how much of Childress' thinking is affected by Favre's injury and how much is performance-based. Favre has 10 interceptions in six games and has lost four fumbles. His 68.0 passer rating ranks 30th in the NFL.

"Those are things for you guys to ponder and write about," Childress told the media. "I am strictly talking about what he was doing here (Friday) in practice."

Favre, who did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, was on the field at the beginning of Friday's session throwing soft passes during the brief portion open to the media.

Texans drug search

Texans owner Bob McNair ordered team staff to go through the locker room to make sure no players are using banned substances. USA Today first reported the Texans had staff members remove any products from lockers that are not approved by the NFL. Houston left tackle Duane Brown and linebacker Brian Cushing served four-game suspensions for different violations of the league's policy on banned substances. Team spokesman Kevin Cooper said the procedure took place "about a month ago." NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the decision "is a club matter."

CARDINALS: Coach Ken Whisenhunt named Chris "Beanie" Wells the starting running back for Sunday's game against the Bucs, ahead of Tim Hightower.

CHARGERS: Disgruntled Pro Bowl wide receiver Vincent Jackson signed his contact tender. By reporting now, he can serve a team-imposed three-game suspension, then play the final six games to accrue his sixth season toward unrestricted free agency.

JAGUARS: Defensive end Jeremy Mincey has a broken right hand and is questionable. He was hurt the day he was named a starter.

RAIDERS: Jason Campbell will make his third straight start at quarterback in place of injured ex-Buc Bruce Gradkowski.

RAMS: Receiver Danario Alexander tore the meniscus in his left knee and will miss 2-4 weeks, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. … Enough tickets were sold for Sunday's game against the Panthers to prevent a local TV blackout. … The No. 80 jersey of former receiver Isaac Bruce will be retired.

TITANS: Coach Jeff Fisher said "there is a good chance" quarterback Vince Young (left knee) will start Sunday against San Diego.

NO INDICTMENT FOR RUSSELL: An Alabama grand jury declined to indict former Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell on a felony drug possession charge related to a drink containing codeine syrup found at his home.